Hiatus Hernia and Palpitations

michelle682, I went on blood pressure medication when I was 40, the hot flushes started at the same time. I used to worry about being on BP medication, but realistically it's a lot better to be on that and have your BP regulated than letting it go, because it's untreated BP which is not good later on. So don't be afraid if your doctor wants you to start this. You didn't mention if you had palpitations, however I have a small sliding hiatus hernia and it's comforting to read others posts indicating that the HH can cause these along with swollen tummy. Make sure you get thoroughly checked out by your doctor before you try fixing your symptons yourself. If you find everything is normal and you don't have any health problems, then it's a good thing to try changing perhaps your diet and lifestyle. It seems to me that a lot of these symptons are caused by anxiety and we can all get this occasionally when life becomes difficult to cope with, but we do get through it and I'm thankful for the support of sites like this, we realise we are not alone. Lizzieozkiwi

My GP tells me that the heavy heartbeats / Palpitations are nothing to worry about, and that worry will increase the symptoms or at least make you more aware of them, and worry or stress will certainly make your heart race. I was slow to believe this but after two ECGs, and wearing a monitor which showed no heart problems, not even raised BP i am forced to believe that the palpitations are not as serious as i thought. They are however still worrying, and annoying. I can not convince him either, that the palpitations are linked to my Hiatus Hernia, or Vagus Nerve. I see that is a recurring problem with others in the forum.

i feel you bro. exact same thing down to a T the palipitations have become a norm. im only 19

yes all these... can particularly relate to 'heavy' heart beats, start in my stomach and rise to my throat. Usually a series of 4 or 5. very disconcerting.

You have written the most clarifying note of any I have seen on these sites, thanks so much for sharing your comprehensive research and thoughts on an issue that is surprisingly common.. And there are many of us who agree with you and have been battling "the system" for years. It's really back to realising we have to help ourselves.  After getting all the health checks done and ensuring that there is nothing wrong with my heart, I too have done the research and my diet resembles yours, luckily my very supportive husband enjoys the same food/beverages - and we are both better for it. I know your post will really encourage and support so many other people with this problem. A BIG THANK YOU......Lizzie

Best description i've seen of this condition, Although i did have an occasional palpitition during my life,( I have had HH since schooldays ) I never really had them bad until i had the endoscope, and they have been pretty constant since. wonder now if there is any connection. My GP is like your own, he got really arrogant with me when i suggested a link between the two things. He had a young trainee GP sitting in with him that day, and i think he was grandstanding to impress her as well, but he made me sorry i mentioned it. It doesnt help that so many GPs have a  closed mind.

Hi, there are some things you've mentioned that I left out - I was afraid of boring everyone! I too had multiple symptoms after the endoscope, including cold hands and feet, shivers, difficulty forming words at times, difficulty controlling my eyes (my right eye felt 'stiff') It wasn't just my GP, it's been 5 consultants in various fields. I went to see another upper GI surgeon and decided not to mention Vagus nerve and guess what? HE suggested it himself! Unfortunately it's not his body area so he can only refer to to a gastro guy, who said 'rubbish, impossible!' I took 40 pages of medical research documents taken straight from European medical research professors - not commercial sites - to my GP and she never even looked at them, neither did any of the consultants. We need someone with some balls to say 'ok, I want to make a name for myself, i'll give it a look'. The problem is that the NHS won't support it in their budget - it's a matter of treating it is easier/cheaper than fixing it! My findings are also that medical people are afraid to address the problem as it's relatively un-researched in the UK. I can't stress enough how stomach exercises have helped me, if anyone wants to know about this i'll post what I do.

Myself and my partner have been made to feel the same as you many times with feeling sorry to have mentioned it and feeling negativity from the GP.

I think heaps of us would love to know your stomach exercises, I definitely would. I know my palp issues are connected to my stomach/eating - so anything I can do to improve my wellbeing, I'll gladly investigate. cheers Lizzie

Most interesting.  But my current doc was not treating me when I fainted, so will in ice toy recall it to her, with what medic said.  They are already running around looking for a diagnosis!

I am very glad mickpayton to get such detailing regarding the vagus nerve and the palp. I have been having this problem offlate and my doc does not seem to appreciate the problem and shies me off. I do not take any pathological medicines and have recently migrated to homeopathy. Will pantoprazole do some good for relief?? Pl let me know your experience. I also get occassional palps while bending , running etc.....

You are awesome~ this has been my experience as well~ a HH and Vagus nerve connection.  Thank you for writing such an informative,, helpful and compassionte answer!  

 

Wow!!!! Great information!!! Thank you! Have you considered having the surgery to correct the HH?? BTW I'm going through exactly what you went through. GP's think its all in our heads! WE KNOW BETTER!!! Also you might want to try 16 oz of carrot/spinach freshly juiced juice in morning and 16 oz of carrot juice straight in the evening. These simple doable juices stopped my palpitations almost immediately!! Pleasantly shocked!!

Yes mickpayton!!! Pleeeeez tell me the exercises you do to strengthen your stomach muscles!!!! This condition is ruining my quality of life!!! Have you ever been interested in a surgical procedure??

I am newly diagnosed with HH and would request the stomach exercises that you recommend. I'm in the process of looking and changing my diet. Recently had an endoscopy which revealed some infection in the gut as well as the hernia.

Thank you for sharing your experiences, it's been difficult even to get a referral for an endoscopy, I can imagine the difficulties to have other investigations.

It is true that the G.P are mainly concerned about controlling the symptoms. You get told to book another appointment if you have other issues. Very sad.

Hi..i am going out of my mind at the moment,,, waking up at 4.30 some mornings to be sick and if i pick a hoover up im out of breath and palpitations start,, they're not quite as bad as they used to be but never the less they're still there,, now i have some sort of infection in my ear which makes me deaf,, the list actually goes on and on,,,i do go to the drs and i am going on manday having some sort of excercise test for my heart apparently on one of these walking machines,, i only hope i dont get dizzy and fall off the damn thing lol  ,, after reading up on all these posts yours intrigued me about the carrot juuice so i am dragging out my juicer and going to give this a whirl,,  thankyou

When you encounter an arrogant doctor-find a new GP and file a complaint in his behavior and attitude. Also, never ever feel like you are being talked down to or patronized by him. He works for you and should behave with interest and care. Call him out on his grandstanding and tell him you do not appreciate his behavior. Doctors are people too. Sometimes they just need a reminder of their position-a caregiver not a passive aggressive bully. Good luck!

I won't be following this thread, (constant reminders of the situation aren't helpful),  but wonder if the endoscopy itself caused (additional) vagus nerve damage, as you reported new symptoms following that procedure.  I've been saying vagus nerve as culprit for years, and dismissed as a loon for it.  (I'm in the U.S. and the doctors aren't better about it here).  I have a sudden increase, however, in palpitations that are quite dramatic.  But my appetite has been odd, and poor, and there is tremendous stress - not as in something I wanted to buy I can't afford, but as in I may soon be homeless, and there are other heavy-duty factors.  None of this, as you point out, helps.  I suppose having a spastic vagus nerve won't kill me, but it sure is disconcerting whether one has a cardiac condition or not. 

Hello! I am 28. I have HH and similar symptoms for over 2 years (palpitations, difficult breathing, nerve system problems and other). From myself experience want to add one good method to relief palpitations - flax seed jelly beverage. Now I am going to contrattac hernia by diet, exercises, chiropractic and meditation (for nerve system). 

Could you please to share your latest experience and results in your struggle with HH. Thank you!

This discussion, although very old now, has made me feel a lot more sane. I have palpitations, a 'stiff' left eye as described here, pins and needles in my hands and feet, mental fog, random tiredness, assorted chest pains, also blocked eustachian tubes. No symptoms of heartburn though. That all sounds terrible but my reaction to the palpitations was to go out and cycle every day, it proves to me I'm not actually dying and i can subsequently cope with all the other crap. Doctors have been no help. 3x GPs 2 specialists, 2 scopes, 1 MRI, 1 ultrasound, 1 halter monitor BP, 1 halter monitor EKG, and they have suggested PPIs (dont even have reflux) anti-depressants and cognitive behavioural therapy. I've realised my health is primarily my own responsibility, I refuse to shovel the blame onto the medical profession and i will for sure check out any stomach exercises that have benefited others....

Good luck everyone, keep at it, don't let it get you down....